NHL sets outdoor games for 2016-17
The NHL announced its full slate of outdoor games for the 2016–17 season on Wednesday, following the announcement earlier in the week that the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers would compete in the 2016 Heritage Classic on Oct. 23.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field on New Year’s Day, the fourth outdoor game for Detroit and the second for Toronto. The two teams met in the 2014 Winter Classic.
Jan. 2, the St. Louis Blues will host the Chicago Blackhawks at Busch Stadium, the first time outdoors for the Blues and the fifth for their division rival Blackhawks.
On Feb. 18, the Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Philadelphia Flyers at Heinz Field, as the in-state rivalry heads outside. Heinz Field hosted the 2011 Winter Classic between the Penguins and Capitaks, and the game marks Pittsburgh’s fourth outdoor contest and Philadelphia’s third.
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The 2016-17 season is the 50-year anniversary of the inaugural seasons for the Blues, Flyers and Penguins. The Kings, also celebrating a bicentennial, will host the All-Star game in 2017.